Hugh, an accountant, says each production, consisting of eight or nine performances, costs a "ballpark" $25,000.

Rent is about $8000 and then add royalties, advertising, lighting and sound.

Theatre Alive has a core company of about 20 to 30 loyal actors and technicians, but Hugh says it's getting harder and harder to "beg" and "cajole" people to commit their precious free time to the cause.

But it's not all bad. Theatre is in the couple's blood. Without it, they may not have met in the 1970s, during a production of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Ernest.

They also performed with a theatre company call Garrick, which broke away from Nelson Repertory Theatre. Intimate shows with audiences of 50 were held in the gallery room at Chez Eelco cafe and the ticket price included a chocolate eclair and coffee at interval.

"It hasn't all been stress and worry. It has been really exciting to have this wonderful theatre to use," said Judith.

Hugh says he'd still jump at the opportunity to direct or perform with another company. "We do love theatre. We read a lot of plays."

Judith, however, won't be putting her hand up. "I am well into retirement age. I shan't be directing or acting again."

Hugh, who is also the treasurer for the Nelson Historic Theatre Trust, says there have been many highlights in Theatre Alive's 12 years.

At a recent visit to the doctor's, the receptionist joined the ranks of numerous others in saying how much she enjoyed The 39 Steps.

It took eight years to get the rights to Blood Brothers, another highlight, and performing in the refurbished Theatre Royal was up there too.

"It so easily could have been lost. There were people saying, 'Bowl the bastard' and we could have another Rebel Sport – God forbid."

Hugh says it's frustrating to see the numbers of Nelsonians that flock to book shows in the Nelson Arts Festival, yet won't support local theatre.

"This may be a somewhat jaundiced opinion, but there's a dwindling number of people who are interested in coming to watch and support good community theatre," he says.

"The shows that seem to attract the numbers – at the Theatre Royal anyway – are one-night tribute band shows at $60 a pop or tried and true musicals, which have been seen and performed in Nelson many times before.

"We will leave a big hole in the Theatre Royal coffers. We have been paying more rent than any user. It is sad to end like this, but reality has to kick in at some point and this is it."